10 things you didn't know about running until you started doing it

How many of these can you tick off the list?

By
Martha Roberts

27/01/2017

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Us running types are everywhere. In fact, there are now more runners in the UK than ever before. Encouraged by various running events and weekly Parkruns, statistics show that the UK's running population has reached an impressive 10.5 million.

You don't have to be running for long to discover it's good for your mind, your body and your social life, but other unexpected things soon reveal themselves when you lace up your trainers and pound the pavements...

1. YOUR BLADDER MAY LET YOU DOWN…

A 2015 study found that a third (30.7%) of women who run recreationally suffer from urinary incontinence. Recently actress Nadia Sawalha admitted that she stopped running after wetting herself during a marathon. 'Without realising it I just stopped running. That's ridiculous because I love it,' she explained. Stress incontinence, caused by pressure on the bladder, is common because of pregnancy, overweight and some medical conditions. Treatment includes bladder training (where you wait longer between emptying your bladder), pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes such as losing weight. In more extreme cases, surgery may be an option.

2. YOU MAY END UP WEARING TWO BRAS AT ONCE

You'll never be more aware of what your breasts are doing than when you take up running. A 2014 University of Portsmouth study of almost 1400 female runners at the 2012 London Marathon found that 75% reported bra fit issues. The most common issues were chaffing and shoulder straps digging in, especially for those with larger breasts

Not surprisingly, many female runners admit to using two bras at once to keep things under control. Consider 'encapsulation' bras which cup each breast individually like the Extreme Control bra by Anita and say goodbye to the two bra habit.

3. YOU MIGHT RUN COMMANDO

Most of us wouldn't dream of leaving the house without our underwear but when you start running you may change your mind. A 2015 survey by Brooks found that nearly one in 10 women run commando.

Running gear – shorts with a lining or running skins – lends itself to wearing no undies because it is snug and wicks moisture away from the skin. And, if anything, wearing pants may cause a build-up of moisture and bacteria that can lead to problems like infection. If you are going to wear underwear, avoid cotton which can absorb moisture and cause chafing. A good alternative is to choose 100% seamless undies made from fabric such as Merino wool, like Runderwear.

4. YOU'LL KICK ANXIETY INTO TOUCH

It's easy to dismiss someone when they suggest that running may help your anxiety or depression, but it really is true – and there's science behind it to prove it. A 2016 study found that mice who were denied exercise on a running wheel exhibited anxiety-like behaviours and this was reduced when they were allowed to run again. Plus it's a well known fact that exercise releases endorphins.

5. YOU WON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT HEADPHONES

Listening to music has been shown to improve performance. In fact, a Runner's World study found that 75% of respondents say that music is beneficial to how they perform.

Dr. Costas Karageorghis, author of Inside Sports Psychology, claims that aside from boosting your mood music helps to set a pace. You can work out your running 'cadence' or steps per minute by counting the number of steps per 30 seconds and multiplying it by four. You can then find playlists to run to at this pace – or faster to improve your speed. Whatever your choice of listening, a good pair of headphones is a necessity, like Plantronics BackBeat Fit.

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6. YOU'LL GET 'RUNNER'S FEET'

Go on any online running support group and you'll see pictures of cracked skin, black toenails, toenails that have fallen off and blisters that cover an entire heel. For obvious reasons, runners are obsessed by the state of their feet and are forever looking for ways to safeguard them against injury (heaven forbid anything should get in the way of a run). One ultra marathon runner had his toenails surgically removed so they wouldn't bother him anymore. If that sounds too extreme but you'd like to know more about footcare or find a local chiropodist or podiatrist, visit The College of Podiatry.

7. YOU MAY HAVE A PAULA RADCLIFFE MOMENT

British athlete Paula Radcliffe famously stopped during the 2005 London Marathon. And what we've learned from online running community is that when nature calls, you have to go. Some people even say you're not a proper runner until this has happened to you.

When you run, oxygenated blood is pumped to the muscles but it is also diverted from the intestines which can cause abdominable cramping and the need to open your bowls. Exercise also increases colonic motility (how often you go, as well as stool softness), not to mention the effect that race nerves have on your bowls.

8. YOU'LL FIND IT MAY HELP WITH ASTHMA

If you suffer from asthma, you may worry that running might make it worse. But research from Asthma UK found that 37% of people with asthma find that exercising regularly makes them feel so much happier and healthier, overall. Exercise like running improves lung function and boosts the immune system so that your asthma is less likely to be triggered by coughs and colds. Runners Paula Radcliffe and Jo Pavey both have asthma. However, you can help to guard against asthma attacks whilst running by taking some precautions. For example, in hot weather run after rain showers when pollen levels are lower and during cold weather, cover your mouth with a scarf or neck warmer (Merino wool Buffs are great) to warm inhaled air.

9. YOU'LL MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Whether it's saying 'hi' to regular runners you meet as you pound the pavements near your home, friendly faces you see at regular Parkruns (free 5K runs held across the country every Saturday morning) or chats with virtual friends on Facebook groups such as Run Mummy Run, you'll find your social network expanding when running becomes part of your life. The endorphins from running boost happiness, but so does the friendship that is born from it. A 2015 survey found that a third of us like training with a friend.

10. YOU'LL GET OBSESSED WITH RUNNING GEAR

Bet you never thought you'd want a headtorch for your birthday or a running tutu to brighten up your 10K race? Whether it's compression socks, compression running tights or a flashing armband for those early morning winter runs, welcome to the obsessive world of buying running gear!

You'll also end up spending more on trainers than you do on high heels. The average runner will need to get new trainers after running 300-500 miles. That sounds like a lot but if you run 5K three times a week, that means you'll need new trainers around every six months. And at around £150 per pair, you may well find yourself spending more on trainers for the year than you do on a pair of heels. But for all the benefits you get from running, the expense will be worth it!

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